“Here, I’m here.” She fought to disentangle herself from the branches hiding her from the world. He was waiting for her when she finally stepped out and stretched her stiff muscles. He reached out and pulled a twig and some leaves from her chestnut locks and let his hand slide slowly down her cheek. She closed her eyes at his touch and waited with bated breath for the tender touch of his lips, but it didn’t come. She opened her eyes and tried to hide her disappointment. “Thanks,” she said flatly.
“That was a great hiding place. I’m impressed.” He gestured toward the large fallen tree. “Who knew you could be so resourceful?” he teased with a wink.
“Well, you would be surprised what you’re capable of when faced with death.” She offered a halfhearted laugh as she began shaking.
“Are you cold?” Blane asked with concern. “I thought it was a pretty warm evening.”
“No, I’m not cold. I think it’s just the adrenaline wearing off. I feel drained and tired.” She shrugged, trying to stop the involuntary shaking. “Well, shall we be on our way? It’s a long walk home.” She started to move in the direction she thought would lead them home.
“Don’t you think it would be easier to ride horses?” Blane asked, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Isobail turned back to him with her hands on her hips. “Of course I think it would be easier to ride horses. Do you have some tucked in your breeches you forgot to mention?”
“No, not in my breeches,” he said softly, “but I do have some in the stables at the castle. Would you like to come back with me?” he asked, offering her his hand.
“Why on earth would we want to go back to the castle? There are guards there that want to take me back to Lord Niall and kill you for kidnapping me.” She shook her head incredulously. “Now quit fooling around and let’s get going before dawn breaks.”
“No, I’m not leaving my horse.” He smiled and pulled her in the direction of the castle.
“What are you not telling me?” she demanded as they made their way back.
“Okay, okay, I followed the guards back to the castle to make sure they were giving up. The king has arrested Lord Niall for murdering Brian,” he said sadly. “I’m so sorry you never got to meet him. He really was a great man. Everything he did was for you.” He put his arm around her shoulder and let her cry for a few minutes. “Apparently Niall tried to take a candlestick to Lady Nuala’s head. But when the guards were taking him to the dungeons, he escaped.”
“They lost him?” Isobail asked.
”They would have if he hadn’t screamed.”
“Why would he scream when he was hiding?” Isobail asked, confused. She knew Lord Niall was not stupid.
“Well, he screamed because someone emptied their chamber pot out the window and it landed on him.” Blane laughed loudly. Isobail joined in, feeling lighter, as if a weight had been lifted from her chest.
“So now that Moira is safe and Niall is imprisoned, I want to go back and get the horses Brian and I left in the stables. I figure we can ride them and take the roads back. That way it won’t take so long to get you home,” Blane said.
Isobail stopped walking. “What do you mean get me home? Aren’t you coming home too?” she demanded.
“Iso, my plans haven’t changed,” he murmured. “The only reason I came back was to make sure you were all right. Now that I know you’ll be safe, I need to get to Iasg and find work with a fishing company.”
“What about me?” she asked. “What am I supposed to do now?”
“What do you mean? I’ll take you home and you’ll either return to your normal life or you’ll get married and have a family of your own, just like you have always wanted. Of course, now that we have learned about your birth mother, I suppose you can move to a palace and become one of them.” He despondently pulled on her hand until she started walking beside him again.
“My normal life has Blane Andersone in it. If you leave it, won’t be my ‘normal’ life anymore,” Isobail protested.
“What do you want me to say? I can’t stay anymore. There’s nothing for me at home. You are royalty and I won’t inherit my father’s farm and . . . ,” he trailed off.
“And?”
“And I wouldn’t be able to provide for a family and it would kill me to have to watch you marry someone else. If I can’t have you, I don’t want to see you with anyone else, but that isn’t fair to you. So I’ll leave and let you live your life.” He refused to look at her.
“But . . . but you kissed me. Didn’t that mean anything to you?” Isobail asked quietly.
“I’m sorry about that. I got caught up in the moment, in the relief of your safety. I shouldn’t have kissed you. I’m very sorry.”
* * *
The silence that followed broke Blane’s heart. He didn’t want to hurt her, but he couldn’t keep pretending that they could end up together either. He knew it was better this way. He just wished it made him feel better.
When they arrived at the courtyard of the castle, the king was standing in the entrance hall, deep in conversation with a guard. When he heard footsteps, he turned to see who was coming.
“Isobail! Oh, thank heavens.” He jogged over to her. “I’m so glad you’re all right. Blane, is it? It is lovely to meet you, and thank you for bringing Isobail back.”
Blane bowed to the king.
“Thank you, sire.” Isobail’s reply was stiff.
“I’m so sorry about Brian. I wish I could have stopped it. I wish I would have seen it coming.” Blane apologized to both of them.
“I’m sorry too. I hate when people are gone before their time,” the king said. “Would you like to stay for the trial in the morning?” the king asked Isobail.
“No, thank you, your highness. I just want to go home. We only came back to get the horses so we don’t have to walk the whole way home,” Isobail explained.
“Of course, but I insist you stay the night. I would feel much better letting you go if I knew you were well rested and properly fed.” The king patted her on the shoulder.
“Thank you, sire. That sounds wonderful.” Blane accepted the king’s offer because not only was he tired but he could also tell by Isobail’s bloodshot eyes she was tired too.
A small maid led Blane and Isobail up a staircase to the rooms were they would sleep. Once the doors had been unlocked, the girl bowed and left them in the hall.
“Good night, Iso,” Blane said as they stood outside Isobail’s door.
“Good night.” She closed the door and leaned against it. Thoughts of the day ran through her head and she slowly slid down to the floor. Pulling her knees up, she wrapped her arms around them and began sobbing.
* * *
Blane quickly fell into a restless sleep. Dreams filled with distorted images from the day plagued him all night. When Blane’s eyes flew open, he was covered in sweat and his heart was racing erratically. The sun was shining through the small window above his head, and he guessed it was about nine in the morning. He felt miserable but he hoped Isobail had slept better than he did. Pulling on his clothes he went down to the kitchens in search of something to ease the grumbling in his stomach.
When he came through the door to the kitchen, he stopped to watch Ms. Wilson fawning over Isobail.
“Poor dear,” she soothed, “’Ere, eat up now. Ever’thin’s better wit’ a full belly.” Ms. Wilson looked up to see Blane standing in the door. “Oh, I was wonderin’ when you’d be down. Come an’ eat.” She set a bowl down next to Isobail.
Blane sat down on the stool beside her. “Good morning,” he greeted.
“Morning.” She refused to look at him.
“Did you sleep well?” He already knew the answer from the dark circles under her eyes.
“Just fine. And you?” She still wouldn’t look at him.
“Yep.” He stopped trying to start a conversation. It was shaping up to be a long ride home. His hope was that she would thank him when she was happily ma
rried.
“’Ere ya go,” Ms. Wison returned with a sack full of food. “Jest in case ya git ’ungry on yer ride ’ome.”
“Thank you so much,” they said together as Blane took the sack from the woman.
“You’d better git. The trial’s ’bout ta start,” she said as she ushered them out the door into the warm morning sunshine.
39
From the position of the sun, Niall estimated it to be roughly ten in the morning. He was beginning to wonder how long he was going to be kept in the small dingy cell. Didn’t they realize he had been in the dung-covered clothes all night? There was a metal frame in the corner with a thin, lice-infested straw mattress on top of it. The floor was just compacted dirt, but it seemed unsoiled enough, so he opted to sit with his back to the exterior stone wall all night. He dropped his forehead onto his knees and sighed, thinking of his own bed and a hot bath.
He heard voices coming down the hall and stood to greet his visitor. Four guards stepped up to the bars of Niall’s cell. They were wearing half-red and half-black tunics. Each guard had a sword hanging from the belt around his waist. The two men in the front were holding ropes.
“All right, here we go now,” the one on the left said as he unbolted the bars.
“And no running this time,” another said, laughing.
“I won’t be running. I just want to get this ridiculous trial over with, so I can go home.” He took a step closer to the bars waiting for them to come open. All four guards stopped moving and stared at him as if he had a tail. They burst into uncontrollable guffawing.
“Aye, then let’s get you home,” the one holding the key said between snorts of laughter. He swung open the bars and waited for Niall to come out. When Niall was through the opening, the guards tied his hands together behind his back.
Niall tested the strength of the ropes. “Is this really necessary? I told you I’m not going to run again. I would prefer to greet my peers with the little dignity I have left.”
“Sorry, m’lord,” one of the back guards said, smacking another in the stomach at the title, and they both smiled. “Everyone on trial has to be tied up.”
The four guards stood two in front and two in back as they brought Niall out into the harsh morning sun. He squinted and ducked his head at the sudden brightness. When his eyes finally adjusted, he saw that the courtyard was filled to capacity. People of every class were there, from the nobility all the way down to the kitchen staff, standing shoulder to shoulder to offer him their encouragement.
“Good morning!” Niall called in greeting to his supporters. “Thank you for coming.” The crowd laughed and from somewhere in the midst, a tomato flew out and hit him in the chest, splattering all over his clothes. He looked down at the red seedy mess and his mouth fell open. He turned in the direction from which the tomato had come. “What’s the matter with you people?” he demanded, causing laughter to ring through the courtyard again.
The guards pushed Niall forward and the sea of people parted to let him pass. Some of the crowd called him names and others spit on him as he passed. When he finally reached the front of the crowd, he saw that a gibbet had been erected on the platform. The guards shoved him unceremoniously up the stairs.
“Lord Niall Conell, what have you to say for your actions?” the king called from the small balcony above Niall’s head. Moira was standing beside the king, staring at her feet. Her face was puffy and swollen. The circles under her eyes testified of her lack of sleep.
“Sire, to you and my peers,” he said, turning toward the crowd and raising his voice, “I would like to apologize for my slight indiscretion. I had a momentary lapse in judgment and for that I am sorry.” To his surprise, the throng of people began to jeer and throw more tomatoes and other produce at him.
The king put his hand up and the mob began to calm. He took a deep breath. “You call murder, attempted murder, and treason ‘slight indiscretions’? How many lady’s maids have you gotten rid of in the last year?”
“I . . . uh . . .” Niall stumbled.
“And where have all these women disappeared to?” the king asked.
“How should I know where they are? As far as I know they just left,” Niall shouted indignantly.
“Niall, this was never intended to be a trial. I witnessed you commit murder and also attempt to murder your own sister. I am done listening to your pitiful arrogant excuses.” He nodded to the executioner and then he and the queen withdrew into the castle.
* * *
Moira watched from the balcony as the guards picked up her kicking and screaming brother. They put Niall on a stool, placed a burlap sack over his head, and then tightened the noose around his brawny neck. Before they kicked the stool, Moira felt a hand take hers. She turned around and found Ceana.
“Please don’t watch,” she begged, and Moira allowed the young girl to pull her back into the castle. “Even though he made several mistakes, he’s still a person. He’s still your brother. It’s morbid.” She searched Moira’s eyes silently, pleading for understanding.
“Thank you, Ceana. Of course I don’t need to watch.” They were standing in the king’s personal study. The king and queen were sitting on a sofa against a wall. The crowd cheered and they all knew Lord Niall Conell was gone.
“I’m always disappointed when my people react this way at an execution. It’s so barbaric.” The king shook his head sadly. The queen whispered in his ear. “Oh, yes. Thank you, my dear. Ceana, I have been meaning to thank you for your assistance on the balcony last night. If it wasn’t for you we would have lost Lady Nuala . . . er . . . Moira here.”
Her cheeks flushed. “You’re welcome, sire. It was my pleasure.”
“Is there anything I can do for you to show my appreciation?” the king asked and when Ceana didn’t answer, he added, “Anything at all. Please don’t be afraid.”
“The only thing I want is for everyone to stay safe. That was the best reward I could have ever gotten. Thank you, anyway.” She raised her eyes and smiled at each.
“I have a request, sire,” Moira said. When the king nodded, she continued. “Would it be possible to have Ceana as my new lady’s maid? I’m in need of a new one and Niall will no longer be able to hurt my staff. I would very much like to have a friend.”
The queen whispered in her husband’s ear again. “I believe you are correct, my love. Ceana, it is the least we can do for you for your assistance in bringing a murderer to justice. I’m granting you leave. It’s obvious the two of you will get along well. You have my permission to take her on as your lady’s maid, if that is what you want.” The King smiled warmly. “I’ll hate to lose Ceana’s help, but I am glad that some good has come of this tragedy.”
“Thank you, your highness. You’ve made me very happy. I wasn’t looking forward to leaving here alone.” Moira couldn’t believe her ears.
“Then you won’t. You’ll stay and finish the summer holiday with us. Then, after our final revelry of the season, you may leave with friends.” The king smiled at the young women. “That is, if Ceana would like to take part in our plan. Ceana?”
“Of course! There’s nothing I would like more than to be of help to my lady.” The young maid offered a wide smile that lifted the gloom.
“Wonderful. Now leave me. I’m tired.” The king chuckled as the joyful friends left his study.
40
The news of the murder and Lord Niall’s hanging spread through Talamh Glasosh like a fire through the dry stubble of a field after harvest. By the time Isobail and Blane reached Teich, everyone was talking about it. Isobail jumped out of the saddle with mixed feelings. Even though they didn’t speak on the long journey home, she didn’t want it to end. She was glad to be back at home, away from the royalty. However, now Blane would be leaving.
* * *
Blane dropped from the saddle of Brian’s horse and walked Isobail to the door of her family’s small farmhouse.
“Thank you,” she said.
“For what?” Blane asked, surprised.
“For bringing me home safely.”
“Oh, you’re welcome.” Blane took the reins from his horse and tied them to the saddle of Brian’s horse.
He would now be able to lead it to Oidean and drop it off with Dolidh and Barra. He put his foot into the stirrup to pull himself into the saddle.
“Blane!” Isobail called out.
“Yes?” He stopped with one foot in the air. The front door flew open and Isobail’s parents came running out. In an instant they were crying and laughing and hugging each other. Blane finished getting into the saddle when Gerry spotted him.
“Blane, thank you for bringing our girl home,” Gerry called out to him.
“Yes, thank you so much,” Mary added.
Blane nodded his head and kicked the flanks of Brian’s horse.
Blane was in Oidean before night fell. He was exhausted but he had made a promise to Brian and he intended to keep it. He opened the door to Dolidh’s inn and took a seat at the bar. By the look on Dolidh’s face when she saw Blane, he knew she already knew what he had to tell her.
“Barra,” she called lifelessly, “come on out here.”
Barra came through the kitchen door, and when he saw Blane, his face mirrored Dolidh’s.
“Well, it can’t be good. So out with it,” Barra said.
“I’m sorry. It’s not good. Brian made me promise to let you know if anything happened to him. Do you know why Lord Niall was hanged?” Blane really didn’t know where to start.
“He killed a man. It was Brian, wasn’t it?” Dolidh already knew the answer to her question. She turned toward Barra and he took her in his arms. They stood together, shoulders shaking for quite a while.
“Lord Niall pushed him off the balcony. I’m so sorry for your loss,” Blane said, trying to comfort them. “I didn’t know him as well as you did, but I did have a great respect for him.”
Barra pulled out a chair and let Dolidh sit down. He knelt down and took her hands in his. Blane watched the couple for a few awkward minutes and then stood from the bar.
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